Doors To Mirrors (Excerpt 119) Hide

Looking up and down the empty street, Nadja pulls the hood of her jacket up over her head and quickly darts out of the main doors of the train depot. With a swift pace, she walks down the sloping hill toward the soap shop. Her nerves are on edge and she feels sick to her stomach. The fear that is rising in her is almost unbearable as she imagines Aaron running up and grabbing her. The sensation is so strong, she quickly turns around, but the cobblestone road and sidewalks are still vacant of any other individuals.

Most of the businesses have not yet opened for the morning including her destination, which she has now arrived at. Pulling the keys from her pocket, she fumbles through them. Once she finds the silver one, she shoves it into the lock, turns the key, and bolts inside quickly locking the door behind her. Leaning her back against the wooden frame, she takes in several deep breaths to calm herself down.

“I don’t want to live like this, in fear.” She says to herself as she stuffs the keys back into her pocket.

Looking around the quaint shop with baskets and barrels of soap and lotion neatly packaged and on display, her eyes tear up. Walking to the back room and on to the warehouse where her aunt’s creations are made, she wipes the corners of her eyes to avoid crying.

“I have to be strong, I have to continue with my aunt’s legacy and make her proud.” Nadja mumbles as she flips the lights on flooding the factory in a bright glow.

It will be two more hours before the workers will arrive and she is glad to have this time alone. Taking her backpack off and looping it over one shoulder, she walks up the spiral staircase to the second floor apartment. Her aunt would stay here with Carl if bad weather kept them from their mountain havens or if supply and demand became too heavy during the holidays. It allowed for more rest and less travel when things got hectic. She opens the door and walks over to the bed placing her bag on the floor next to it.

“I need to relax and get myself together.” She says softly as she sits on the bed. “I know I am going to have to stand up to Aaron at some point. I cannot hide for the rest of my life.” She lays back and closes her eyes.